A fierce political row has erupted between Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and his predecessor, now Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, over the financial state of the government and rising security concerns.
Governor Lawal recently alleged during an interview with Arise TV that his administration inherited a near-empty treasury with just N4 million left in state coffers. He also accused Matawalle of mismanaging the state’s resources, leaving behind unpaid salaries and debts that plunged Zamfara into financial crisis.
However, Matawalle, in a swift rebuttal delivered through his former Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, dismissed the governor’s claims as “tissues of lies and concoctions.” Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna, Dosara insisted the previous administration handed over N14 billion in bond proceeds, N2.6 billion in World Bank-supported funds, and other grants.
“We find it necessary to respond after Governor Lawal went public with misleading claims. The facts are clear—our government left behind significant funds and infrastructure progress,” Dosara said.
He also stated that the average monthly allocation under Matawalle’s government was N3.2 billion, barely sufficient to meet the monthly wage bill of N2.1 billion. On salary arrears, he clarified that only three months were outstanding, blaming the delay on alleged threats from Governor Lawal to financial institutions.
Dosara further criticized the current administration’s approach to security, citing a spike in banditry and abductions since the new government took over. He accused Governor Lawal of halting several educational and infrastructural initiatives initiated under Matawalle.
In response, Governor Lawal’s Director General of Media and Communication, Nuhu Anka, dismissed Matawalle’s claims as “a bunch of goofs,” maintaining that only N4 million was found in the treasury upon assumption of office.
“How can a government that claimed to have left over N42 billion fail to pay salaries, entitlements, and contractors?” Anka queried, alleging massive mismanagement of public funds under the former governor.
Anka praised Governor Lawal’s reforms, noting that salary arrears have been cleared, the N30,000 and N70,000 minimum wages implemented, and public finances stabilized.
“Zamfara is not owing a single kobo to anyone, locally or internationally. Our government is focused on real development, not propaganda,” he stated.
On security, Anka said Matawalle’s criticism was “laughable,” asserting that the state’s safety situation has significantly improved since the transition.
The heated exchange underscores the deepening political rivalry between the two leaders as tensions rise over governance narratives and the battle for public trust in Zamfara State.
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